Author:R.J. Palacio Genre: Fiction/Children's Books Publisher: Knopf Children's Books Number of pages: 320
"You can't blend in when you were born to stand out."
Auggie Pullman is a positive, bubbly, fun, and adventurous fifth grade student. He has always been home schooled, but not simply because his parents wanted him to receive a better education. The reason Auggie has never been to a public school is because he was born with a severe facial deformity that is sure to grab the attention of anyone nearby. Auggie is just a normal kid, despite his face, and he just wants the kids to see him for who he really is. Kids even run from him, screaming, when they see his face, and even adults make rude comments. Luckily, this sweet boy has a loving family and they manage to get him to be his fun, quirky self at home. Not only is "Wonder" told from Auggie's perspective, but we also get to see through the lens of his sisters and his classmates, and we are able to see the impact that Auggie has on others around him. Through his journey at his new school, we are exposed to his continual persistence to make friends, remain optimistic, and stay true to himself. This heart-wrenching story with certainly make you think twice about the way you treat those who are different.
I think students will enjoy this book because it has some really funny parts, as well as some tear-jerking parts. Students will be engaged and curious to see if things begin to look up for Auggie. It will also help them to reevaluate how they treat others, and to look on the bright side of things. Middle school students will especially enjoy this because Auggie is in the 5th grade, so they will be able to relate. The students know what it is like to be picked on, so they will resonate with this story in ways unimaginable.
I would use this book in my classroom to teach about the importance of treating everyone equally. I will reiterate on the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." This is a perfect example of that saying. Auggie is such a great boy, and would be such a great friend. If kids choose to deny his friendship because of his appearance, they are the ones missing out. I will use this to teach about subconscious actions. If I asked the kids how they would treat this student, or what they would do when he walked by, they would probably say that they would treat him well. I would explain to them that we have to be aware of our actions, and sometimes we don't realize we are making faces or treating people different, but it is a subconscious decision.
Title: Nothing But The Truth
Author: Avi
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Diaries
Publisher: Orchard Books
Number of pages: 177
"Today was rotten. Nothing was right. I felt like punching Narwin in the face. It all just stinks."
Summary: Nothing But The Truth is a documentary novel based in New Hampshire, revolving around a ninth grade student named Phillip Malloy. We learn early on in the book that Phillip does not like his homeroom teacher, and is obsessed with running. His teacher, Miss Narwin, is extremely passionate about what she teaches, and is very frustrated because Phillip seems to put forth no effort or show the slightest bit of interest. He continues making bad grades and dreaming about becoming a track star, until one day he learns that due to his poor grades in his English class, he cannot compete. He decides the problem is not his own, but it is his teachers. He realizes he may not be able to try out for track because he doesn't want to put forth the effort to raise his grade. Phillip continues to act out in class and make disrespectful remarks toward his teacher. One day, he is penalized for humming the National Anthem during silent time in Miss Narwin's class. Phillip gets himself in a mess by lying to his teacher and to his parents about the situation. His lies turn into a huge ordeal, involving the whole town and even news reporters, saying that the school prohibits singing of the National Anthem. After getting Mrs. Narwin in trouble, being suspended from school, and causing a huge scene, he then comes to her asking if he can do extra work to raise his grade. The irony of this story is never-ending, Miss. Narwin feels the school does not have her back during the feud, and Phillip's parents send him to a private school. On his first day of class at the new school, Phillip is asked to go to the front of the room and sing the National Anthem. He responds, saying, "I don't know the words."
I think students would definitely enjoy this book. I particularly enjoyed it because of the irony and the way the story built upon itself. It sucks you in, and you feel sorry for Phillip, yet also have no pity on him at the same time. He has gotten himself in way over his head, and it is entertaining to read. Students would enjoy this because they are not the ones getting in trouble, but they get to be outsiders and see what is happening to Phillip through out his mess.
When reading this story in class, I would use it to teach about the importance of truth. Little white lies can escalate and turn into a huge disaster. This would also be a great book to use to teach irony. I would love to have the kids pick out examples in the text and explain what the author is trying to do with the irony.
Title: Wonder
Author:R.J. PalacioGenre: Fiction/Children's Books
Publisher: Knopf Children's Books
Number of pages: 320
"You can't blend in when you were born to stand out."
Auggie Pullman is a positive, bubbly, fun, and adventurous fifth grade student. He has always been home schooled, but not simply because his parents wanted him to receive a better education. The reason Auggie has never been to a public school is because he was born with a severe facial deformity that is sure to grab the attention of anyone nearby. Auggie is just a normal kid, despite his face, and he just wants the kids to see him for who he really is. Kids even run from him, screaming, when they see his face, and even adults make rude comments. Luckily, this sweet boy has a loving family and they manage to get him to be his fun, quirky self at home. Not only is "Wonder" told from Auggie's perspective, but we also get to see through the lens of his sisters and his classmates, and we are able to see the impact that Auggie has on others around him. Through his journey at his new school, we are exposed to his continual persistence to make friends, remain optimistic, and stay true to himself. This heart-wrenching story with certainly make you think twice about the way you treat those who are different.
I think students will enjoy this book because it has some really funny parts, as well as some tear-jerking parts. Students will be engaged and curious to see if things begin to look up for Auggie. It will also help them to reevaluate how they treat others, and to look on the bright side of things. Middle school students will especially enjoy this because Auggie is in the 5th grade, so they will be able to relate. The students know what it is like to be picked on, so they will resonate with this story in ways unimaginable.
I would use this book in my classroom to teach about the importance of treating everyone equally. I will reiterate on the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." This is a perfect example of that saying. Auggie is such a great boy, and would be such a great friend. If kids choose to deny his friendship because of his appearance, they are the ones missing out. I will use this to teach about subconscious actions. If I asked the kids how they would treat this student, or what they would do when he walked by, they would probably say that they would treat him well. I would explain to them that we have to be aware of our actions, and sometimes we don't realize we are making faces or treating people different, but it is a subconscious decision.
Title: Nothing But The Truth
Author: Avi
Genre: Realistic Fiction/DiariesNumber of pages: 177
"Today was rotten. Nothing was right. I felt like punching Narwin in the face. It all just stinks."
Summary: Nothing But The Truth is a documentary novel based in New Hampshire, revolving around a ninth grade student named Phillip Malloy. We learn early on in the book that Phillip does not like his homeroom teacher, and is obsessed with running. His teacher, Miss Narwin, is extremely passionate about what she teaches, and is very frustrated because Phillip seems to put forth no effort or show the slightest bit of interest. He continues making bad grades and dreaming about becoming a track star, until one day he learns that due to his poor grades in his English class, he cannot compete. He decides the problem is not his own, but it is his teachers. He realizes he may not be able to try out for track because he doesn't want to put forth the effort to raise his grade. Phillip continues to act out in class and make disrespectful remarks toward his teacher. One day, he is penalized for humming the National Anthem during silent time in Miss Narwin's class. Phillip gets himself in a mess by lying to his teacher and to his parents about the situation. His lies turn into a huge ordeal, involving the whole town and even news reporters, saying that the school prohibits singing of the National Anthem. After getting Mrs. Narwin in trouble, being suspended from school, and causing a huge scene, he then comes to her asking if he can do extra work to raise his grade. The irony of this story is never-ending, Miss. Narwin feels the school does not have her back during the feud, and Phillip's parents send him to a private school. On his first day of class at the new school, Phillip is asked to go to the front of the room and sing the National Anthem. He responds, saying, "I don't know the words."
I think students would definitely enjoy this book. I particularly enjoyed it because of the irony and the way the story built upon itself. It sucks you in, and you feel sorry for Phillip, yet also have no pity on him at the same time. He has gotten himself in way over his head, and it is entertaining to read. Students would enjoy this because they are not the ones getting in trouble, but they get to be outsiders and see what is happening to Phillip through out his mess.
When reading this story in class, I would use it to teach about the importance of truth. Little white lies can escalate and turn into a huge disaster. This would also be a great book to use to teach irony. I would love to have the kids pick out examples in the text and explain what the author is trying to do with the irony.